Mr Bowlers Views

Where are the Marshall Towers?

Remember the times that guitarists and bassplayers had a Marshall stack behind them? Or some smaller but still powerful amps? (But all very heavy) In the early days  they couldn't do without. Certainly before the PA systems you needed volume to be heard. PA systems , and good monitoring, made it possible to downsize if you wanted. But some bands still had big stacks on stage. Some were and are fake. Have you ever seen the documentary about Dreamtheater where there were 4 big Mesa stacks on stage but the real sound came from a small amp behind them under a soundproof blanket?

Years ago suddenly there were modeling amps (like Kemper). Program your favorite sound, including effects, and where ever you were performing, your sound was good. Directly in the PA and with in ear monitors you were settled. But these things were expensive.

Then Line 6 came with their small (and some bigger) pedals with all kind of amp models build in. Other brands followed. I remember a documentary about Porcupine Tree. Steven Wilson laughed and said that he got loads of compliments about his guitar sound. Must be tubes amps. Yes, on stage (Bad Cat), but in the studio he used a cheap Line 6 bean.
Now it is even easier to get a good sound. You can use your laptop or a small pedal like the one in the photo. That's a real cheap one and there are more expensive and absolutely better ones. But it works brilliantly. And another plus of these things? you don't need a truck. It can go in your guitar case. Way better for your back too!

Romanian Fucking Folkcore Metal

Ever heard of the Romanian band Dirty Shirt?

They're big! Not only as band in Romania, but at the concert I experienced there were 13 musicians on stage. 2 male singers, 2 guitarists, 3 violinists, a bassist, a keyboardplayer (doubling on guitar)  a drummer and 3 female backing singers. The flute player wasn't there this evening. They indeed play Fucking Folkcore metal. Lots of Romanian rhythms and melodies.

The band played Form Space, a venue under the footbalstadium. Sold out with more than 700 people enjoying themselves. 

My good friend Sergio Ponti is the drummer of Dirty Shirt. He is Italian, but lives in Romania because love takes you places. He invited me to visit the band and the gig. The man is a giant and (soon) you can read more about him in the interview section.

I'm an old guy (not mentally) and love seated gigs, but Dirty Shirt kept me on my feet for two hours! The energy that came from the stage was huge. Within 5 minutes the crowd was totally in it and kept jumping till the end. Great music, great sound, great lights. Dirty Shirt is fantastic and is besides that one of the most professional bandsI know. Check them out, there is a concert on YouTube!

DIRTY SHIRT – LIVE AT ROCKSTADT EXTREME FEST

Are prog lovers not progressive anymore?

Recently Serious Music Alphen organized a mini progfestival in the beautiful Parkvilla Theater in Alphen a/d Rijn. Four Dutch prog bands showed their skills and performed original music. No tributes, but musicians that create their own songs. Serious Music took a risk with this. And so did the bands. The tickets were cheap and that meant that payment for the bands was not great (and that is an understatement).

You would expect that the real Dutch prog lovers would be there and the theater (200 seats) would be sold out in no time. Sadly it wasn't. 80 tickets sold.

The people that did come had an amazing day. The organization was fantastic, a food truck was there for the catering, the sound was excellent and the bands gave their all.
Sometimes it feels sad when Marillion or Pink Floyd tributes get a sold out venue and bands that perform their own, and often fantastic, music hardly get an audience.

Are 'prog' lovers not progressive anymore?